Charles Mingus

Alto saxophonist Bunky Green spent decades as an unsung hero in modern jazz, but an acknowledged legend in jazz education. Then came a pair of acclaimed albums made with noted protégés. Green died on March 1 at 91.

On the occasion of the legendary bassist's centennial, broadcaster and bass player Greg Bryant zeroes in on the legend's technical wizardry.

Regarded as one of the most important figures in jazz, tributes are planned across the world to honor the legacy of bassist, bandleader and pioneer Charles Mingus.

Critic Kevin Whitehead reviews a new, seven-disc Charles Mingus box set chronicling the jazz legend's mid-'60s live performances. The records, Whitehead says, "can be a little raw, as if the explosive music caught the engineers by surprise."

In 1961, the great bassist and composer started a long residency at a club in Queens, N.Y., called Copa City. It was a period of bold artistic statements from Mingus. Now, a new box set of live recordings immortalizes that moment in time, and why it can be called a "titty."